Page 52 of Atlas
Tom’s smile deepens, knowing he has my attention. “So, if you’re looking for someone—”
“I’m not,” I say, my voice sharp as I stand, cutting him off.
He doesn’t flinch. In fact, he steps closer, his presence filling the room, and the air between us thickens. His voice drops, more serious now. “Relax, Nita,” he says, shoving his hands inhis pockets. His stance widens, authoritative, commanding, the kind of thing that makes most people fold. “It’s no secret I don’t like your ex.” He smirks. “And if I can crush him in court, it’ll be the highlight of my career.”
I narrow my eyes at him, trying to keep my cool. “I’m not interested in being part of your pissing contest.”
“You sure about that?” He takes a step forward, challenging me. “You’re going to let Dopey Dennis handle this for you, and you’ll lose. I’ve seen how your ex operates. Dennis is too nice to handle someone like him.”
“Dennis is a good lawyer,” I say, my tone clipped. I want to defend Dennis, but my words feel weak in the face of Tom’s piercing gaze. I shift uncomfortably.
“I’m better,” Tom shoots back, his voice low but certain. His eyes are no longer playful—they’re laser-focused. “And I’d do it without the ego trip. It’s not just about the win for me, Nita. It’s about making sure you don’t lose.”
I stand there for a moment, caught between pride and practicality. Tom’s right. Dennis is good, too good, in fact, which sometimes works against him. But Tom . . . he’s relentless, and that could make all the difference in a case this high-staked.
But then I think about the last thing I need right now: someone else trying to take control of my life. Someone who doesn’t understand what this means, who’s just trying to prove something.
“I don’t need your help,” I say firmly, though my stomach tightens at the lie. “I can handle this.”
Tom doesn’t back off. Instead, he steps even closer, his voice dropping to a softer, more intimate register. “Are you sure, Nita? Because this fight isn’t just about custody. This is about your and Leo’s life, your future together. A son needs to be with his mother. We both know that. I can win this.”
The sincerity in his tone is . . . unsettling. I don’t know what to make of it. He’s right about one thing—this isn’t just some battle over Leo. It’s a fight for our future. It’s a fight for our freedom. And most of all, it’ll break the cycle of abuse. The cycle I know Damien is already trying to instill in our son.
I take a deep breath, meeting his gaze with more resolve than I feel. “Okay. I’ll give you a chance to look over the case files and see what your angle is. Then we can discuss.”
Chapter Eleven
Atlas
“You’re telling me that sweet, crazy chick out there is a prostitute?” asks Grizz, his brows raised in surprise.
“We know what women will do to survive,” Axel reminds him. “And no one chooses that life, it’s something they have to do for whatever reason.”
“Hey, I’m not judging,” he replies, holding his hands up. “I just can’t see it. For a start, she never shuts the fuck up.”
I laugh. “He’s got a point. I imagine Kasey talks through sex.”
“She could definitely talk with a cock in her mouth,” laughs Pit.
“I have her dad’s address,” Axel says, looking at me as he slides a piece of paper towards me. “Take whoever you need.”
“Hold on, I thought Rue asked you not to get involved?” asks Grizz.
“She did.”
“Yet here you are, getting involved.”
I grin. “I’m just making enquiries to check they’re both safe.” I stand. “Who wants a ride out?”
Fletch stands, along with Pit and we head out.
The house isn’t as run-down as I’d pictured. From the outside, you’d think a respectable family lived here. I knock once, but I know he’s already seen me from the Ring doorbell attached to the door. After a minute, it swings open, and a young boy looks up at us through his floppy fringe.
“Adam, what have I said to you about opening the damn door?” snaps a woman as she bustles towards us, grabbing the child by the upper arm and dragging him back behind her. “What?” she asks, glancing to my patch.
“We’re looking for Frank.”
“Well, good luck finding him. Tell him he owes me a shit tonne of child maintenance when you see him.”
